We Gain More Than We Give

We Gain More Than We Give
Author: Thomas S. Dickinson
Publisher: National Middle School Assn
Total Pages: 551
Release: 1997
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9781560901037

Despite increases in the number of middle school using interdisciplinary team teaching, many are struggling to articulate a clear defense of their teaming work in light of confounding and conflicting public demands. This compilation examines teaming in middle schools--its characteristics, knowledge base, current concerns and future adaptations. The chapters are: (1) "Pushing Humpty off the Wall: Stories for a New Age of Teaming" (Dickinson), relating teaming to five significant concepts that help define the potential of teaming; (2) "Thirty Years of Attempting to Fathom Teaming" (Erb); (3) "Team Maturity: Learning to Grow Together" (White); (4) "A Case Study of the Dolphin Team" (Thomas), on the continuous learning of team members; (5) "Teaming in the Rural Middle School" (Lee); (6) "The Brief, Bright Light of the Village" (McDaniel), one principal's experience implementing the team approach; (7) "Teaming: Sharing the Experience" (Burkhardt); (8) "Starting a New Team: Advice and Best Practice" (Rogers, Bowen, and Hainline); (9) "Mature Teams at Work: Benchmarks and Obstacles" (Jones); (10) "The Art of Creative Composition: An Administrative Perspective on Interdisciplinary Teams" (Gallagher-Polite); (11) "Teams and the Affirmation of Middle Level Students' Voices: The Case of Jimmie" (Powell); (12) "Parental Perspectives" (Thompson, and others); (13) "Trends in the Utilization of Interdisciplinary Team Organization in Middle Schools" (McEwin); (14) "Interdisciplinary Team Teaching: Sampling the Literature" (Wraga); (15) "TEAM Me: A Philosophy Bigger Than Sports" (Page and Page); (16) "Research on Teaming: Insights from Selected Studies" (Strahan, Bowles, Richardson, and Hanawald); (17) "Teaming Beyond the Core Four" (Anglin); (18) "Leadership of Interdisciplinary Teams" (Kain); (19) "Teaming and Decision Making" (Pate); (20) "Teams and Curriculum" (Arnold); (21) "Whole Language on the Team" (Butler and Liner); and (22) "Inclusion and Teaming" (Walther-Thomas). Each chapter contains references. (KB)

The Effects and Impact of Interdisciplinary Teaming on Teacher Practices and Efficacy

The Effects and Impact of Interdisciplinary Teaming on Teacher Practices and Efficacy
Author: Lisa Depaola
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2022
Genre:
ISBN:

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects and impact of interdisciplinary teaming on teacher practices and efficacy. This study revealed the perspectives of eight 7th and 8th grade teachers, who teach one of the core disciplines (English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies) and the school principal by interviewing them for this case study in an Essential Elements School-to-Watch in Nassau County, New York. It included perceptions from the other 7th and 8th grade teachers on interdisciplinary teams through focus groups and observations during team meetings. Document analysis was performed on artifacts that were collected during the observations. Data were triangulated in order to reveal emerging and prevalent themes regarding the perceptions of teachers about interdisciplinary teaming. There is a need to explore effective interdisciplinary teaming and its effect and impact on teaching practices and teacher efficacy in a middle school environment. Proponents suggest that teachers on interdisciplinary teams in middle schools will have a strong sense of belonging and that their teaching practices will be changed and influenced by each other. In addition, teachers and students feel part of this small community team, which will lead to success for both groups. The National Forum, National Association of Middle Schools, and Essential Elements Schools-to-Watch believe that interdisciplinary teaming is a middle school best practice. Therefore, this study explored the impact of different factors that contribute to a successful interdisciplinary team that emerge through the teachers' perceptions regarding practices and efficacy.

Critical Atttributes of Interdisciplinary Teaming in the Middle School

Critical Atttributes of Interdisciplinary Teaming in the Middle School
Author: Randy Reuben Hoyer
Publisher:
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2013
Genre:
ISBN:

This study identified perceived structural and instructional critical attributes of interdisciplinary teaming at the middle school. Through interviews with principals and teachers, data was collected on critical attributes of interdisciplinary teaming in areas such as the formation of teams and the implementation of interdisciplinary teaming as a process with specific functions, both structural and instructional in nature. The critical attributes identified in this study were associated with the results from two earlier studies on interdisciplinary teaming conducted by Hackmann et al. (2002) and Valentine et al. (1993). Additionally, this study gathered data from participants on the perceived benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary teaming. Using purposeful sampling, principals and teacher participants were selected from a school district located in a metropolitan city in Texas. There were a total of 13 middle schools in the school district and five schools were selected for participation in the study. From the five middle schools, ten participants were surveyed and interviewed for this study; five principals and five teachers. The researcher conducted interviews over the telephone with each of the participants. Data collected from the interviews were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings indicated that critical attributes of interdisciplinary teaming, identified earlier by Hackmann et al. (2002) and Valentine et al. (1993), were generally associated with results from the current research. The critical attributes were developed from the following categories: Team characteristics, team membership, team planning time, and curriculum design practices. The second part of the study described perceived benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary teaming. In general, participants identified more benefits than challenges. Specifically, participants found interdisciplinary teaming to be beneficial in the areas of relationships, instruction, and parent communication. Challenges in the implementation of interdisciplinary teaming were described by both groups of participants. Implications for school officials who are trying to maintain interdisciplinary teaming in the face of budgetary constraints will necessitate a balanced look at effectiveness and efficiency. Further inquiry into an important relationship between interdisciplinary teaming and student achievement is also necessary. This study identified perceived structural and instructional critical attributes of interdisciplinary teaming at the middle school. Through interviews with principals and teachers, data was collected on critical attributes of interdisciplinary teaming in areas such as the formation of teams and the implementation of interdisciplinary teaming as a process with specific functions, both structural and instructional in nature. The critical attributes identified in this study were associated with the results from two earlier studies on interdisciplinary teaming conducted by Hackmann et al. (2002) and Valentine et al. (1993). Additionally, this study gathered data from participants on the perceived benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary teaming. Using purposeful sampling, principals and teacher participants were selected from a school district located in a metropolitan city in Texas. There were a total of 13 middle schools in the school district and five schools were selected for participation in the study. From the five middle schools, ten participants were surveyed and interviewed for this study; five principals and five teachers. The researcher conducted interviews over the telephone with each of the participants. Data collected from the interviews were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings indicated that critical attributes of interdisciplinary teaming, identified earlier by Hackmann et al. (2002) and Valentine et al. (1993), were generally associated with results from the current research. The critical attributes were developed from the following categories: Team characteristics, team membership, team planning time, and curriculum design practices. The second part of the study described perceived benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary teaming. In general, participants identified more benefits than challenges. Specifically, participants found interdisciplinary teaming to be beneficial in the areas of relationships, instruction, and parent communication. Challenges in the implementation of interdisciplinary teaming were described by both groups of participants. Implications for school officials who are trying to maintain interdisciplinary teaming in the face of budgetary constraints will necessitate a balanced look at effectiveness and efficiency. Further inquiry into an important relationship between interdisciplinary teaming and student achievement is also necessary.

What Current Research Says to the Middle Level Practitioner

What Current Research Says to the Middle Level Practitioner
Author: Judith L. Irvin
Publisher: National Middle School Association
Total Pages: 388
Release: 1997
Genre: Middle school students
ISBN: 9781560901204

This volume provides recent research findings on important topics related to the still-expanding middle school movement. They are divided into seven parts, addressing teaching/learning, curriculum, teacher education, social context, organization, leaderships, and issues and future directions. Following an introduction to middle level education research, by Irvin and Hough, the chapters are: (1) "Young Adolescent Development" (Eccles and Wigfield); (2) "Enhancing Self-Concept/Self-Esteem in Young Adolescents" (Lipka); (3) "Motivation and Middle School Students" (Anderman and Midgley); (4) "The Effects of Interdisciplinary Teaming on Teachers and Students" (Arhar); (5) "Teaching with Time on Your Side: Developing Long-Term Relationships in Schools" (McLaughlin and Doda); (6)"Middle Level Discipline and Young Adolescents: Making the Connection" (Bennett); (7) "Ability Grouping: Issues of Equity and Effectiveness" (Mills); (8) "Differing Perspectives, Common Ground: The Middle School and Gifted Education Relationship" (Rosselli); (9) "Inclusion" (Hines and Johnston); (10) "A Multifaceted Approach to Teaching Limited Proficiency Students" (VanNess and Platt); (11) "Assessment" (Stowell and McDaniel); (12) "Middle Level Competitive Sports Programs" (Swaim and McEwin); (13) "Middle Level Curriculum's Serendipitous History" (Toepfer); (14) "Effects of Integrative Curriculum and Instruction" (Vars); (15) "Curriculum for Whom?" (Brazee); (16) "Curriculum for What? The Search for Curriculum Purposes for Middle Level Students" (Beane); (17) "Current Issues and Research in Middle Level Curriculum: On Conversations, Semantics, and Roots" (Powell and Faircloth); (18) "Middle Level Teacher Preparation and Licensure" (McEwin and Dickinson); (19) "Multicultural Issues in Middle Level Teacher Education" (Hart); (20) "Improving Urban Schools: Developing the Talents of Students Placed at Risk" (Mac Iver and Plank); (21) "Service Learning and Young Adolescent Development: A Good Fit" (Schine); (22) "Home-School Partnerships: A Critical Link" (Brough); (23) "Organizational Trends and Practices in Middle Level Schools" (Valentine and Whitaker); (24) "A Bona Fide Middle School: Programs, Policy, Practice, and Grade Span Configurations" (Hough); (25) "Components of Effective Teams" (Trimble); (26) "Transition into and out of Middle School" (Mizelle and Mullins); (27) "Collaboration and Teacher Empowerment: Implications for School Leaders" (Clark and Clark); (28) "Women in Leadership Roles" (Clark and Clark); (29) "The Middle Level Principalship" (Valentine, Trimble, and Whitaker); and (30) "Setting a Research Agenda" (Hough and Irvin). Each chapter contains references. (HTH)